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Cupib's 
Coronation 



^ iLprical Jlasque 

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Chicago 
19X5 

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AUG 19 ISIL 



MAR -8 IbIB 



DEDICATION 

To 

MR. MAURICE BROWNE 

of 

The Little Theatre 

Chicago, 111. 

U. S. A. 



Your g-ift of swift sympathy grave 
me the first real reader of this wee 
Masque. Should I ever gain an- 
other such, I shall account myself 
doubly blessed by the Gods. 
Gratefullv yours, 

W. N. R. 



Copyright 

by 

THE AUTHOR 

1915 

All Rights Reserved 



100 copies of this masque printed 
the 16th day of September. 
1915, by Hack & Anderson. 



CHARACTERS. 



Robin (In love with ^larguerite). 

Giles, the Hermit. 

Lord Monterey. 

RoLLO, Court Jester. 

Davie 1 t^ • • • i • i t-, n 

T > Rustic swains m love with Polly 

Johnnie J 

Puck. 

Cupid. 

Marion 

Flossie 

Emma 

Louise 

Annie 

Emily 

Fannie 

Clara 

Helen 

Nellie 

Marguerite. 

CoRiNA (Her nurse). 

Polly, a rustic maiden. 

Witch of the Wood. 

Bugaboo "I ^, . . , , ., , 

^1 he witch s children. 

NiGHTHAWK J 

(Children and dancers.) 



\ 



:hildi 



PROLOGUE. 

(Spoken by a young girl in the guise of a 
woodland nymph.) 

The wand I hold is one that Cupid gave 
As looking on me with his happy eyes. 
He bade me come and welcome every one, 
Unto his home — free and frolic Fairyland ; 
Where things are made of no such mortal stuff 
As marble, iron, bronze or gold. Fancies there 
And visions of the mind make all that is ; 
Fancies — that have in them such potent life 
That once they come on earth to men, they live 
Forevermore — though Kingdoms fall and nations 
Die and e'en the names of poets are forgot, 
Come thither now, but leave thy cares behind ; 
For Care hath no more place in Fairyland, 
Than has the miser's gold a place in Heaven. 
All's as you make it. Yield thee to Joy or Joy 
Can never take you. For e'en the wand of 
An Immortal is powerless over such 
As do refuse its service. The skies are blind 
To him who doth not seek with patient thoughts 
— Not acts — to know the secrets they unfold; 
For noisy actions teach the actor little Truth, 
But 'tis unto the Dreamer's musing eyes, 
The Gods most oft reveal their mysteries. 



Cupib's Coronation 



ACT I— SCENE I 

Scene: A ivoodland glade. Enter Rollo, 
carrying Flossie on his shoulders, surrounded by 
other children. 

ROLLO — Here we are at last ; and now will 
my little Queen condescend to descend? 

FLOSSIE— If you please. 

ROLLO — Of course I will please. For if you 
are to be a live Queen, then troth must I be a 
live servant and give true obedience unto you. 
For a true Queen without a true subject were in 
very truth a very sorry object, and such a one as 
no true man could endure. Therefore, as I hope 
to be a true man I will serve thee truly. So here 
we are and down you com.e ! Now, O Queen, 
thou art like a fallen star. 

MARION— What makes you say, Rollo, that 
Flossie is like a fallen star? 

ROLLO — Because she is a beautiful thing 
come down from heaven to e.arth. 

MARION — Now, Rollo, you haven't told us a 
story today. 

ALL THE CHILDREN— A story! A story! 

ROLLO — I appeal to thee, O Queen (turning 
to Flossie and kneeling), I, thy subject, desire 



10 Cupid's Coronation 

to be excused from all story' telling this day! 
May I not, O, Queen, be excused? 

FLOSSIE — I don't know ; we all like stories. 

ALL THE CHILDREN— A story! a story! 

ROLLO— I never tell stories. 

FLOSSIE — O yes ! you do — sometimes — and 
good ones. too. 

ROLLO — Sometimes, but not this time. For, 
alas ! this morning, like a foolish mortal, I lost 
myself out in the woods, and while I was trying 
to find myself I came to a little pond.' Around 
the pond were a lot of frogs. Now when they 
saw me they all began : "Croak ! croak ! croak ! 
give us a story!" Next a flock of crows, right 
over my head cried : "Caw ! caw ! caw ! give us 
a story !" Just think of it ! There I was a lone, 
unprotected man ! My ! but I was scared. I 
looked around for an escape. But there wasn't 
any. Escapes don't seem to grow in the woods. 
The frogs all opened their big mouths and the 
crows all flapped their big wings. I thought I 
was gone, sure ! But, thanks to my head, I had 
an idea! I just reached down into my pockets 
and threw out all my chestnuts and then — 

ALL THE CHILDREN— Then— 

ROLLO — Then I ran for my life, and here I 
am. 

FLOSSIE — Well, you might make up a story. 

ROLLO— Yes! I suppose I might. Whittle 
it out of raw material and measure it by rule and 



Cupid's Coronation 11 

sell it by the yard as all the novelists do now- 
days. I might— ^but I guess I won't. I haven't 
time. Besides, you must run now and pick flow- 
ers for Coronation Day. Get as big ones as you 
can. for the bigger the flowers, the larger the 
feelings of him who _getteth the flowers. Shoo ! 
Shoo! Chickadees! Now pick fast and I'll come 
back after you pretty soon. 
[Exit children. 

ROLLO — looking after the children, solilo- 
quizes — There they go ! a regular spray of sun- 
beams ! A whole row of domesticated sunshine. 
What would the world be without 'em ! Why, 
'twould be nothing but a blank ; a shadow ; a 
very blank shadow — a very shadowy shadow 
without any golden edges or any silvery linings, 
but only a black-faced, homely, rainy day, soli- 
tary, solemn, sedate and subdued shadow ! 

Which reminds me of the singular fact that I — ■ 
even I — am still a bachelor. But 'ere many more 
days of my youth are gone, by the bright eyes of 
one sweet lady whose praises I will hot repeat 
for fear she may be present— that singular fact 
shall be no longer singular but plural, for I will 
follow the advice of the old song, which sayeth : 

Young man, young man, go marry ! 

Sweet maid, sweet maid, go marry ; 

Youth will stay but a summer's day ; 

Love will fade with the month of May. 
Roses cannot tarry. 



12 Cupid's Coronation 

But just when Youth seems jolly and gay, 
When fair is the morn and bright is the day, 
Far it will fly ; far it will fly ; 
Far it will fly away. 

Ah ! here come the lovers — the only two. Yet 
the same kind of a Huckleberry two that a mil- 
lion other twos are. O, captivating Cupid ! what 
a comedy it is to see these sighing things, with 
but one heart, one hope, one hand, one ring, one 
wish and no appetite. Thus doth the world see 
man vanquished by a smile ; routed by a look ; 
overcome by a sigh ; annihilated by the merest 
sign of a frown ; puffed out of existence and 
cheated out of his proud inheritance of solitude 
and independence by the faintest faltering of a 
pretty mouth. Well!' who so desireth. let him 
be Cupid's slave, but as for me — 

SONG. 

Though love be a fairy, 

What care I ? 
Though love be a fury. 

What care I ? 
The winds blow fair over meadow and lea ; 
My heart is light and my soul is free; 
For never a woman or maid, you see 
Was ever the mistress of me ! 
[Exit Rollo. 

[Enter the Witch with Bugaboo and Night- 
hazvk. 
THE WITCH— A good song i' faith, with the 



Cupid's Coronatton 13 

right sense ; would more were like it. Ah ! here 
come those lovers with their honey talk. I can- 
not touch them yet — not yet. The charm — it will 
not work ! 

BUGABOO— But mother, let me try my art ! 
THE WITCH— What! thou knowest naught. 
•Puck would catch thee i' the minute and kill thee 
with a sunbeam. 

NIGHTHAWK— Mother, I feel hope a-stir- 
ring. Let us wait. 

THE WITCH— chanting— Yes ! let us wait. 
Spirit black of stormy cloud ; 
Sprite that maketh mortals proud, 
Bring thy charm and weave thy spell. 
Burst these bonds of asphodel. 
Change these sugar hearts of good 
Into minds of hardihood. 
Spirit that all mortals fear, 
Send thy m.agic mischief here, 
That so my brood may learn thy lere. 
Double, double 
Toil and trouble. 
Rise up. Mischiefs, rise and bubble. 
Root of Snakeweed, up, I say! 
What ! thou cans't not ? Then away ! 
Puck holds the magic charm today. 
[Exit Witch. 

[Enter Robin and Marguerite. 
ROBIN — I love you so that I can find no 
speech. 



14 Cupid's Coronation 

MARGUERITE— Say nothing, then, and T 
will call it golden eloquence. 

ROBIN — So will I, since silence is the only 
eloquence I can command. For noblest things 
are hardest to express, since they outsoar the 
wings of plaint and prayer. See, here is our 
good old friend, the oak, a friend that in our 
need has often been a friend indeed. 

MARGUERITE— 
And may he be so to the end. How good it is 
To have good friends ; O think of all the years 
That we shall live to revel in the joys 
Around us here today ; to see each year 
Old friends knit closer in Fate's kindly bond of 

sympathy and love. 
A happy future 'tis that waits us, is it not, dear 
Robin ? 
ROBIN— So I hope, but— 
MARGUERITE— Think of treading, day by 
day, over these same fields ; beside our favorite 
brook ; along the meadows ; underneath the elms 
— Ah ! merry is this world, tho' some folk say 
That earth is sad and lone and most unhappy. 
ROBIN— 

Life is not always a place of gayety. 
Filled full of songs and love and poesy. 
I wish it could be, but — 
MARGUERITE— 
Why, Robin, why, 
Do you keep saying "but" as if indeed 



Cupid's Coronation 15 

There was some doubt about our happiness ? 

robin- 
No doubt at all, dear Marguerite, but — 
MARGUERITE— 

There you are again, a veritable 

Treasure house of buts and ifs and ands. 
Come ! come ! 

Don't spoil our one great joy with fear. 

Forgive me, love, it seems so strange, that's 
all— 

To hear you stand there doubting. 
ROBIN— 

I do not doubt — 

Not doubt exactly, yet I want a word — 
MARGUERITE— A word for what? 
ROBIN— 

To say, my dearest love, 

That even 'ere our wedding bells have ceased 

To sound their music in our ears, we must 

Go far away from here. 
MARGUERITE— Away from here ? 
ROBIN— Aye. 
MARGUERITE— 

Away from all my friends, my childhood 
home ! 

My old associations ! O, Robin, won't you 
stay! 
ROBIN — I cannot, Love. I would I could. 
But men must go where-e'er their work is. 



16 Cupid's Coronation 

MARGUERITE— 
Away from here? 

Away from all relations, friends and ties 
That I have learned to love. 

ROBIN — But love should suffer somethin?^ for 
love's sake. 

MARGUERITE— Away from all my friends, 
O Robin, I — I cannot go — 

ROBIN— 

Cannot ? Is woman's love then worth but 

this. 
When having friends, a home, the luxuries 

of life, ^ 
It suits your thought to have a husband, too, 
You take him like a piece of bric-a-brac, 
A something fair, convenient, decorous. 
Respectable or needful or polite. 
So you marry. But if love meaneth care. 
Grief, pain or e'en discomfort for a time. 

Presto ! 
Change ! you wish it not. This then is wom- 
an's love ! 

MARGUERITE — crying — To go so far — 

ROBIN— ^/7/rr/v half aside- 
Yon shall not ! 

I will go alone, but Heaven grant you may, 
In after years, in thinking on this hour. 
Remember what men suffer from the fears 
Of women who lack courage in their souls. 
[Exit Robin Jiurricdly. 



Cupid's Coronation 17 

MARGUERITE— ca//f;?.<fy— Robin ! 

[Enter Witch zvith Nighthazck and Buga- 
boo. 

[The Witch circles round a tripod chanting. 
WITCH— 

Speed ! my mischiefs, seize thy chance ; 

Let the magic wand advance, 

Now it is the fated hour, 

For the maid to feel our power. 

Praise her wit ; cajole her pride ; 

And she is ours. Good luck betide ! 

Merlin calls me from the wood ; 

He hath magic that is good ; 

Wolfsbane, fennel, .myrtle, rue. 

Whose rare juices we will brew ; 

Skip! Nighthawk and Bugaboo, 

Merlin's gifts are waiting you. 

Tarry not, my brats, nor wait. 

Make the minute most of fate, 

'Ere forever 'tis too late. 

[They go behind Marguerite and ivave 
branches over her head. Then return to 
their mother. 

Bonny bratlings, thou dost well ! 

Now to weave the magic spell. 

SONG. 

In a solemn airy row 
Round about the cauldron go, 
In the wild wood herbs we throw, 
Till her everv thought we know. 



18 Cupid's Coronation 

Double! Double! 
Toil and trouble, 
Snakewood and the do^roots bubble, 
Ha! the dusky smoke doth blow. 
WITCH — to Bugaboo — Away ! 'tis time thy 
work were done. 

BUGABOO — Aye ! good mother, I am gone. 
[Exit Witch and Nicjhthaivk. Bugaboo 
comes around in front of Marguerite. 
MARGUERITE— Who art thou? What dost 
thou here ? 
BUGABOO— 

I do here the same as thou ; 
E'en where thou art am I now ; 
Where thou would'st be, so would I 
While I live and when I die. 
Sweet my mistress, I was born, 
To bring thee hope in days forlorn. 
MARGUERITE— Indeed I am forlorn. 
BUGABOO— 

Let no maiden, tho' a bride. 
Suffer from man's scorn and pride, 
Do thou man's pride proudly meet. 
Thou v/ilt bring him to thy feet ; 
Ne'er should maid of woman born, 
Suffer unresented scorn. 
MARGUERITE— r/.y/;;ry. zvitJi flashing eyes 
and an expression of determination — I will not ! 
BUGABOO— 

O, mistress mine, I love thee now. 



Cupid's Coronation 19 

I love the roses on thy brow ; 

I love to see the splendor rise 

From the lightning- of thine eyes, 

I love to see thy spirit free 

Assert its queenly dignity, 

So I'll help thee, dear, to do 

Whate'er thou hast a fancy to. 

When thou know'st me thou shalt see 

Much to like in little me. 

For I am, faith, a pretty elf, 

And I will be thy other self. 
MARGUERITE— 

Indeed, I like thy looks, my little one, 
But now I must be going. 
BUGABOO— 

If my good advice you heed, 
You will let his hard heart bleed, 
'Twill not hurt it and may be 
He will come and sue to thee. 
Whatever hap — of this be sure 
Maids should not man's scorn endure. 
MARGUERITE— Thou sayest true. I am re- 
solved. Farewell. 
BUGABOO— 

Nay ! Alistress, I'll along with thee. 
Where thou art, I, thyself, must be. 
[Exit Marguerite, follozved by Bugaboo. 
[Re-enter Witch with Nighthazuk. 
[Circling around the tripod they chant this 

song. 



20 Cupid's Coronation 

Over hill and over dell, 

Everything is going well ; 

No more song of wedding bell ! 

Only silence now doth tell 

To the screech owls that our spell 

Won success and that we 

Are masters of the blasted tree. 

O'er the dark wood's side domain, 

Merlin is sole lord again. 

Now the shades of night are curled, 

Down around the under world, 

Let the ghostly charm fire burn 

Till my bonny brood return. 

[Exit Witch and Nighthazvk. 

[Enter Polly and Davie. 
POLLY — Well, I don't care, Johnnie Simple- 
kins always used to write to Susie Jones every 
day, when he didn't come to see her — 'cause 
Susie told me so herself — so she did. 

DAVIE— That's all right. Ell write to ye 
four times a day, Polly, if ye want me to. I 
ain't going to let Johnnie be any gallanter than 
I am. Ed be a literary man all the time for 
your sake, if there was as- much money in it 
as there is in hoeing corn. 

POLLY— Well, I don't think there is. You 
are all right, Davie, if you were only a little 
more gallanter. We ladies like gallantageous 
men! 

DAVIE— That's the kind I'll be, then. 



Cupid's Coronation 21 

[Exit Polly and Davie. 
[Re-enter Rollo, singing. 

SONG-BALLAD. 
I. 

I rode a gay prancer to Cranberry town, 

(With a jiggledy, jiggledy jog.) 
I met a sweet maiden in calico brown, 

(With a jiggledy, jiggledy jog.) 
Said I, "Pretty maid, you are going my way?" 
Said she, '"Gallant sir, 'tis just as you say, 
But we must keep a-moving, I cannot delay." 

(With a jiggledy, jiggledy jog.) 
II. 
We traveled together, that maiden and I, 

(With a jiggledy, jiggledy jog.) 
W'hen soon I did spy a wink in her eye, 

(With a jiggledy, jiggledy jog.) 
Said I, "Fair maiden, pray tell me your thought." 
Said she, "Noble Sir, I don't think that I ought, 
Besides 'tis a fancy that first must be bought, 

(With a jiggledy, jiggledy jog.) 
III. 
"A penny for it, fair neighbor," I cried ; 

(With a jiggledy, jiggledy jog.) 
Said the maiden, "Well, since you won't be de- 
nied ; 

(With a jiggledy, jiggledy jog.) 
I was thinking how easy some people might ride 
Together forever side and by side !" 



22 Cupid's Coronation 

Thus she won a penny and I won a bride, 
(With a jiggledy, jiggledy jog.) 

ROLLO — sitting dozvn as if tired — I don't hke 
to make any remark against my old and much 
abused friend, the weather. But I must say that 
it's hot — bountifully and most unbeautifully hot! 
Whilst here and there and everywhere I go pac- 
ing up and down the country toiling in the serv- 
ice of humanity in general and of the coming fes- 
tival in particular. First I take a note from my 
lord ; then I bring a note to my lord. 'Tis a mes- 
sage to some man in the morning and a missive 
from some maid in the afternoon. Now a pack- 
age ; next a luggage, then a lot of baggage and 
finally an everlasting lugging of said baggage. 

I am a man of all work ; a contriver of all 
tricks ; a conveyer of all messages ; a messenger 
for all conveyances ; a general servant and a most 
servile general ! 

Commanded by everything and commanding 
nothing! a despatcher of all ideas without being 
allowed to have any idea about mine own dis- 
patches ! I think out all plans and plan out all 
things. All that is done, and more especially all 
that is not done am I held responsible for ! And 
such a cypher it is to be the servant of a lord. 

Yet as it is the duty of a grub to be grubbing, 
so must I keep moving and say nothing except 
it be to make a jest to please the wit of him who 
sometimes wanteth wit to know when he is 



Cupid's Coronation 23 

pleased. O Man, how many are thy unmeasured 
vanities, profanities, inanities ! 

Now here I am just returned from delivering a 
dinner invitation from my lord to the Lady Mar- 
guerite. I go to the house. The nurse opens 
the door. "Is thy mistress in?" say I. 

"She is not to be seen," says she. 

"Wherefore so?" say I. "Bad news," says she. 

"Robin has gone!" "What! the bride and 
beauty of all this country deserted !" say I. 
"Even so," says she. "Where is he?" I cry. 
"Alas, 'tis not known," says she. 

So here I am with my message delivered to no 
purpose, which is the most undelivered kind of 
delivery. In times like these, to be a bachelor is 
to have some bread and water comfort to say the 
least. Here comes my lord ! 
.[Enter Lord Monterey. 

LORD MONTEREY— Well, Rollo, will they 
come — 

ROLLO — Alas, my lord, they would if they 
could, but they can't. 

LORD MONTEREY— Come ! a plain answer, 
sirrah ! 

ROLLO— All's up. 

LORD MONTEREY— What ! 

ROLLO — Just so ! Broken hearts ; untwisted 
ties ! Tempests of tears ; unbounded sighs ! alas, 
'tis true, my lord, Cupid has stubbed his toe. 

LORD MONTEREY— Marvels will never 



24 Cupid's Coronation 

cease. So Robin and Marguerite have had a 
falHng out — 

ROLLO— Exactly. 

LORD MONTEREY— Well, all happens for 
the best. 

ROLLO — I hope so, else were yours and mine 
a hard case. 

LORD MONTEREY— Have the children re- 
turned ? 

ROLLO — Not yet, Em waitino^ for them here. 

LORD MONTEREY— By the way, RoHo, Ell 
not be home for supper. 

ROLLO — Beware, my lord, beware ! man may 
escape waves and wars ;_ tempests and tornadoes ; 
annihilation, suffocation, extermination ; but not 
the arrows of Cupid. All the terrors of the 
world are naught to those of the little god of 
dimpled hands and rosy cheeks with moon-shiny 
arrows armed. 

LORD MONTEREY— I will beware. 
[Exit. 

ROLLO — So say they all. 'Tis wonderful 
how men yearn to die if they can only perish at 
the hands of a pretty woman. J wonder where 
the chicks are. Ah ! there they come. 

[Enter children led by Flossie and Marion. 

My, what pretty wreaths ! and you made them 
all yourselves ? Well now, when I get to be a 
king. Ell have a coronet made all of daisies. Get 
in line : One, two, three, and off we go ! 



Cupid's Coronation 25 

[Exit all, singing. 
From over the meadows and far away ! 

We're going home, we're going home. 
Over the fields of thyme and hay, 

Where sky larks soar and chipmunks play 
We're going — going home. 

End of Act I. 



26 Cupid's Coronation 



ACT II— SCENE I. 



[Enter Polly and Johnnie. 
JOHNNIE — I think you might give me that 
rose, so's folks would know I had a sweetheart. 
Polly — But I'm not your sweetheart. 
JOHNNIE— Well, you used to be. 
POLLY — Yes! Rome used to be ruled by 
Cccsar, but 't'sn't today. Wait a minute. You 
can just go to Susie Jones, ^vlr. Johnnie Simple- 
kins. 

[Exit Polly. 
]OUNNlE— looking ruefully after her — Now 
if a fellow doesn't have a hard time in this world 
I don't know nothing about anything. — Looking 
doimi — Well, if there isn't the rose. Guess she 
likes me some after all ! 
[Exit Johnnie. 

[Enter Witch, Bugaboo and Nighthawk. 
WITCH— chanting— 

Go in folly on your ways ! 
These, my brats, are bonny days. 
Though you live until yoji be 
Hoary as the blasted tree 
No gladder hours shall you see, 
These are times that keep men young, 
These events hath Merlin sung; 
Long ago, my bonny brood, 
Ere he left the underwood, 



Cupid's Coronation 27 

Times have come as he foretold, 
Discords now the worlds enfold, 
Over all earth's dark domain, 
Shadows dim have come ag^ain ; 
To the spirits of the night 
Falls our twilight of delight. 
Double, double. 
Toil and trouble. 
Now the foam of Snakeweeds bubble. 
BUGABOO — I hear a human step at hand. 
WITCH — I fear that Puck is on the way. 
NIGHTHAWK— Can't I tr^r my skill today? 
WITCH— 

Hast thou yet no patience learned, 
In the fire thou must be burned 
If before thy time thou will 
Try thy uncompleted skill. 
BUGABOO— Hark ! the footstep cometh 
nigher. 

WITCH — Duck, my brats, beneath yon briar. 

[Exit Witch, etc. 

[Enter Marguerite. 

MARGUERITE— May be that I was wrong! 

Ah ! me, how much woe may come to one in a 

minute. One wrong and hasty word ; one false 

or careless step, and all is over ! I'll sit and sing. 

SONG. 

The light of my Love's sweet face is fled, 

Far away, far away is he gone ; 
My heart is weary ; my soul is dead ; 



28 Cupid's Coronation 

Forsaken am I and alone, 
For my Love, my Love, he is j^one. 

O ne'er again will I ever see, 

The beautiful days of yore ; 
My Love will never come back to me, 

Never — ah ! never more ; 
For my Love, my Love he is gone. 
[Hides her face in hands and sobs. 
[Enter Witch, peering round. 
WITCH— ^0 Bugaboo- 
Haste thee forth, my Bugaboo, 
This sort of mood will never do, 
If thou break it not in twain, 
She'll be lost to us again. 
Merlin grant thee lightning speed 
In this time of hungry need, 
Paddock favor us today, 
Luck attend thy art, away! 
[Exit Bugaboo, who comes round in front 
of Marguerite and there addresses her. 
BUGABOO— 

Good morrow to the Lady fair, 
Joy attend thee everywhere. 
MARGUERITE— rmHf/ np—\h\ I thank 
thee, little stranger. Would it were mine. 
BUGABOO— r/zanf^— 

All shall be thine, 
For all is mine. 
And by thy leave 



Cupid's Coronation 29 

To thee I give 
And to thy name 
Aly love and fame; 
For I — an elf, 
Am but thyself, 
Whatever honor I can take 
I will gather for thy sake. 
MARGUERITE— What must I do ? 
BUGABOO— 

With this grieving have thou done ! 
In thy self are battles won. 
Heed no act or word of man. 
Be independent whilst thou can. 
If' any scorn thee, let him go 
To the realms of heat or snow ; 
Be thou calm and keep thee so. 
MARGUERITE — Thou seemest a good coun- 
selor. 
BUGABOO— 

I am, and another day 
I'll come again. I must away. 
Remember, lady, what I say — 
Ne'er should maid of woman born 
Suffer unresented scorn. 
[Exit Bugaboo. 
[Enter Corinna. 
CORINNA — panting— Wh^t a. jaunt, to be 
sure! It seems as if I had traveled round the 
world to find that girl. Bless me! here she is at 
last! 



30 Cupid's Coronation 

MARGUERITE— Yes, here I am. 
CORINN A— What ! alone ? 
MARGUERITE— No, having a visit with my- 
self. 

CORINNA— And that I hope proves goodly 
company, for 'tis the company we all see the 
most of and must bear the longest. 

MARGUERITE— I was growing a little tired, 
but just then Bugaboo came by. 

CORINNA— One of the Witch's children? 
MARGUERITE— Yes. 
. CORINNA— There's mischief in that boy. 
MARGUERITE— Why, he seemed very jolly. 
CORINNA— And flattering! 
MARGUERITE— He does make pretty 
speeches. 

CORINNA— What did he speechify about ? 
MARGUERITE— Well, he warned me against 
bearing the scorn of any man. 

CORINNA— The sneaking little wretch ! 
MARGUERITE— What do you mean, Cor- 
inna? 

CORINNA— 

I mean that evil works \yithin this world, 
From day to day ; and that few learn wis- 
dom. 
Listen, I had a lover once. Tis true — 
Despite the witness of some pdd grey hairs. 
Like lovers of all time, we first were happy, 
Life was one glad, continuous melody, 



Cupid's Coronation 31 

Then came a difference, a word — a frown — 
My pride was touched, and Hkewise his. 

Just then 
When we, if left alone, would have made 

up— 
Came little Bugaboo to me one day. 
And with a lot of flattering phrases said, 
No woman should bear mankind's scorn. 

•But if 
I would but listen to his good advice 
All would be well and I at last triumphant. 

MARGUERITE— And did you heed him ? 

CORINNA— 

I did. His words I followed to the end, 
But from that day I never saw my sweet- 
heart more. 

MARGUERITE— 

I too was on the verge of heeding him. 
But now I'll write a note to Robin. 
If Rollo or anyone knows where he is ; 
Perhaps 'twill bring him back. 

CORINNA— Do so ! And good luck be with 
you. But what comes here ? 
[Enter Puck. 

PUCK— 

I, Ladies, am the Prince of Elves, 
Who loves to rifle pantry shelves, 
Of apples, nuts, and all things sweet, 
Whate'er they hold that's good to eat. 
Sometimes for hearts my fancy delves. 



2)2 Cupid's Coronation 

When folks are ^^ood I am themselves, 

I teach sweet maidens how to woo 

What man they take a fancy to. 

And that today I'll do for you. 

Since you I see are not above 

Doing humble work for love ; 

While you, fair maid, though touched by 

years 
Have learned that true love knows no fears, 
Nor doubts nor woes nor anything 
Save thoughts that laugh and hopes that 

sing. 
If I good service may est do, 
Fair ladies, I'll along with you. 
MARGUERITE— But first, I pray, take this 
note to Robin. Hunt till you find him. 

PUCK — I will. What for you, mistress? — 
to Corinna. 

CORINNA — Only thy prayers, little friend. 

PUCK — I have plenty, and they are yours. 

Come, I'll sing you a song I learned when a lad. 

SONG BY PUCK. 

A whisper comes up from the meadow to me, 

With a hey, heigh and a -ho ! 
About a brave Knight and his fair Lady ; 

With a hey, heigh and a ho ! 
The Lady was fair and the Lady was bright 
The days overflow with blissful delight. 
They were true to each other both day and by 
night. 



Cupid's Coronation 33 

A\'ith a hey, heigh and a ho ! 

[Exit Puck, Corinna and Marguerite. 
[Enter Witch zuith Bugaboo and Nighthawk. 

SONG. 

]\Iay the oak tree's blasted hmb, 

Fall in fury onto him, 

He the child ! of dark afraid, 

Who would spoil our ancient trade, 

\M-io beneath the wanton sun, 

Takes the work by us begun. 

Tearing down from haunted wood, 

All the labor of my brood. 

May the curse of Alerlin fall 

Round about his castle wall. 
BUGABOO— 

Mother, let me hide and fight, 
That ugly spirit of the Light. 
NIGHTHAWK— 

Nay ! I prithee let me go 

And kill him with my shadow bow. 

witch- 
No charm is in the air today. 
Come, my brats, we must away. 
[Enter Rollo. 
ROLLO— What a tumult, to be sure! When 
a man disappears he becomes trebly a man. Then 
doth his faults all vanish and his virtues become 
varnished, until his value is beyond reckoning 
and his presence beyond price. But let him follow 



34 Cupid's Coronation 

the trundling course of ordinary tedious exis- 
tence, then verily shall he become tedious too. 
Now I take it to be an impeachment of man's 
honor to think he cannot survive a little esca- 
pade or escape from a little revival without the 
potent assistance of all the world, including the 
police. Since man was made to roam, I say let 
him rummage until his fancy runs him back 
again. Heigh! Ho! I guess I'll rest my belated 
bones a minute. 

[Reclmcs and sleeps. 
[Enter Davie and Johnnie. 

DAVIE — I have been looking for you. 

JOHNNIE— Well,. I haven't been looking for 
you. 

DAVIE — I guess you haven't. You're afraid. 

JOHNNIE — tzmsting the rose — No, I'm only 
busy. 

DA\' IE — advancing threatening toivard him — 
Ye are — are ye? 

JOHNNIE — crying — No, I'm not. 
[Rollo, awakening. 

ROLLO— Here, lads, what's all this tornado 
about ? 

JOHNNIE — He's trying to whip me. 

ROLLO — Then must he like work. 

DAVIE' — Well, he's been stealing roses from 
my sweetheart. 

ROLLO — Let me see the rose. 

JOHNNIE— I found it. 



Cupid's Coronation 35 

ROLLO — unwrapping bit of paper from 
around the stem of the rose — A small bit of pa- 
per, but 'twill serve, I guess. Reading — 
This rose is for a silly he, 
Pray Heaven keep him away from me. 
Polly. 
The question is settled. Johnnie, the rose is 
yours. As for Polly's heart, I fear it is her own 
or Davie's. Davie, fear not Johnnie. And John- 
nie, hate not Davie. When men go forth to sub- 
due her Highness, Woman, let them be comrades, 
for some day they may need each other's help. 
But if I were you, Johnnie, I would betake my- 
self awhile to solitude and reflection, wherein a 
little sackcloth and ashes were not inappropriate. 
JOHNNIE — Well, I never cared much for 
girls anyway. 
ROLLO— 

A most bachelor-like reflection ! 
Thou art on the primrose path. 
[Exit Rollo, Davie and Johnnie. 
Scene 2 : A cabin in the wood. Before the 
door sits Giles, the Hermit, weaving baskets. 

GILES — soliloquising — A curious thing it was 
that the poor youth should find me here. Strange, 
too. that for the same cause and in the very mood 
I came hither many years ago, so came he yester- 
day. 

A great world is this universe, yet men's sor- 
rows make the farthest strangers neighbors. In 



36 CupiD^s Coronation 

listening to his tale last night the memories of 
the past awoke in me and for the first time in 
years I spoke Corinna's name. She sleeps a 
happy sleep, I trow, in some far grace. 

ROBIN — appears at the door of tJie hut — 
Good morrow, my good friend. 

HERMIT — Good morrow to thee, lad. I trust 
thou hadst sweet rest. 

ROBIN — I did. I dreamed Love stood beside 
my couch and beckoned me to go back to the 
world. 

HERMIT — Dreams are truths oft times and 
come to guide our footsteps right. 
ROBIN— 

O Friend, Man's pride is nothing but mere 

folly ! 
Why is't that true hearts who if need be 

would 
Die for one another, will rise up 
To do and speak all sorts of harshness, 
If but their sense of dignity be touched, 
Or their self-love be leastwise slighted? 
HERMIT— 

The trouble is, my lad, that so-called love 
Is often mostly made of love of self, 
A thing we hope will bring to us .advantage. 
Then when those whom we have professed 

to love, 
Put it to test, they find it straightway van- 
ished. 



Cupid's Coronation Z7 

For 'twas indeed not theirs at all but ours, 
A fair gift kept for barter and exchange. 

ROBIN — You speak most truly. I see I was 
more than one-half wrong. I should have 
waited. Besides, there was Corinna who — 

HERMIT— What's that ? 

ROBIN— 

My sweetheart's nurse who in our dawn of 

love 
Did always give me fair encouragement, 
Before I knew what Marguerite did think. 

HERMIT — Corinna, did you say? 

ROBIN— 7C'z7/^ surprise— hyt ! What of that ? 

HERMIT — 'Tis such a pretty and uncommon 
name. 

ROBIN — musingly — Corinna's soft low voice 
and mild blue eyes would soon have righted all. 

HERMIT— Mild blue eyes— you said ? 

ROBIN— Aye ! What makes you tremble so ? 

HERMIT— That's nothing, lad. I. slept but 
ill last night. 

ROBIN — I thought perhaps you might have 
known the nurse. She must have been a pretty 
woman once. 

HERMIT— I knew a young girl of that name 
once. Years back, my lad, so many that they 
make a gulf in time — I had a sweetheart. Cor- 
inna was her name. Her eyes were also blue. 
But 'twas long since. Now let me see — 'tis 
twenty years this month. 



38 Cupid's Coronation 

ROBIN— So long. 

HERMIT — Aye! hut it seems short enough. 
I was a boy of twenty ; she sixteen. We had a 
quarrel. Neither would give in. 

ROBIN— Too bad. 

HERMIT — The end was that in a rage I came 
here ; and never saw her more. 

ROBIN — Whence came you? 

HERMIT — Ten miles beyond that fartherest 
mountain top, from Sylvan Vale. 

ROBIN — Why, Sylvan Vale was once Cor- 
inna's home. I've often heard her tell how beau- 
tiful the country is there. 

HERAIIT — Pray God it may be as you say. 

ROBIN — You can at least go back with me 
and find out for yourself. 

HERMIT— My lad, I will. 

[Puck appears, limping ruefully. 

ROBIN— What have we here? 

HERMIT— I do not know. Nay! Yes in- 
deed, I saw him years ago. 'Tis Puck. 

ROBIN— Hello, there. 

PUCK— 

Hello yourself if that suits you. 
But as for me I'm black and blue, 
From top to toe, friends, I repeat, 
I'm black and blue and want a seat. 

HERMIT— Why then sit down, old friend of 
mine. 

ROBIN — Yes, sit ! Here is a good spot. 



Cupid's Coronation 39 

PUCK— 

So you may think, but I do not. 

No shady spooks or spots in mine. 

With your permission I'll recline 

Right here where all the sunbeams shine. 
ROBIN — Had a pleasant stroll this morn? 
PUCK— 

Stroll? Where in goodness were you born, 

On a wild blackberry thorn, 

Or did they hang you on a crag 

Like a piece of v/ashed out rag, 

And let you flap around and fly 

Until your poor weak wits were dry? 

Even an old mountaineer 

Would never think of strolling here. 
ROBIN— I don't know. 
PUCK— 

That is the trouble, noble sir. 

Which from your blunders I infer ; 

You don't know. Well, if you don't 

You can't help it, and I wont. 

But when your noddle is so dense 

Keep in mind this word of sense ; 

If you're short on wit and mirth. 

Don't proclaim it to the earth. 
HERMIT— 

My little friend, how is't thy wit 

Hath so much of salt in it ? 
PUCK— 

Some salt is needful, I have seen. 



40 Cupid's Coronation 

When traveling through a world that's 
green. 
ROBIN— Who are you? 
PUCK— 

I am the King of Fays and Elves. 

When you are good I am yourselves. 

When you are bad, I do not brood, 

I wait until you change your mood. 

My mission on this little earth, 

Is to increase the stock of mirth. 

When people do their level best 

I then will try to do the rest. 

But, sirs, I came on business and 

Here's my first word of command : 

Unto Sir Robin, "that youth there! 

Who left in wrath a lady fair, 

He must return without delay 

And repent as best he may. 

Both were wrong and both must say 

They are sorry. Then I may 

Bring once more into their sight, 

jNIirth, Goodwill, Joy and Delight. 
ROBIN— Thou art Puck. 
PUCK— Which I don't deny. 
ROBIN— 

Why! 

We return, this friend and I 

Right faithfully and speedily, 

To find perchance if we may prove 

Loyal to two hearts of love. 



Cupid's Coronation 41 

PUCK— 

That being your free-will intent, 
You may read this testament. 
[Delivering Marguerite's letter. 
ROBIN — reading and turning to Hermit — 
Good friend, 'tis from herself, and all is well. 

PUCK — aside — Which means the jingling of 
a wedding bell. 

[A bugle is heard. 
HERMIT — The hunters are after game. 
SONG — Sung by hunters in the distance. 
Up and away, the bugle's blowing. 

Up, my lads, and away ; 
Over the hills the sun is coming; 
Over the trees the wind is humming, 
Up, my lads and away ! 

Away, away. 
Merry we'll be, 

Happy and free. 
Jolly and gay, 
All the day 
Then up, my lads, 
Up my lads and away. 
[Enter the Hunters. 
FIRST HUNTER— Well, boys, here's Robin. 
SECOND HUNTER— We've cornered the 
fox after all. 

ROBIN — Good days, friends, how's all at 
home ? 

FIRST HUNTER— Very much upside down. 



42 Cupid's Coronation 

SECOND HUNTER— The whole country is' 
submerged in tears over thy absence. 
ROBIN — I return tomorrow early. 
PUCK — So do I, provided that my legs are 
limp-able. 

[All laugh. 
FIRST HUNTER— Come, boys, let's rest a 
bit and then we'll return with the news. 
PUCK — to the First Hunter — 
Here, you big and burly man, 
Bear this message if you can; 
Tell the lady when I sleep 
Like the little Miss Bo-peep 
ril bring back the long lost sheep. 
Do you think your head will keep 
All that message? Well, if not, 
Only mark with care the spot 
Where you left it on the road 
And I'll help you with the load. 
SECOND HUNTER— What a saucy little 
brat. 

PUCK— 

Who could strike you down so flat 
You wouldn't know where you were at. 
Now Mr. Muffy-Head, please scat ! 
[All laugh. 

[Exit Hunters singing: 
Jolly, jolly, jolly. 
Jolly hunters we ; 
With hearts as light 



Cupid's Coronation 43 

As the sun is bright, 
With souls as gay 
As a day in May, 
And with wills to keep them so, 

Gaily we a-roving go ; 
A-roving go, a-roving go, 
Gaily we a-roving go. 
PUCK— 

Friends, if you a watch will kindly keep, 
I'll turn my toes up here and sleep. 
[Sleeps. 
ROBIN — to Hermit — Do you not rejoice at 
thought of going back to life again? Are you 
not glad' to leave this lonely solitude ? 

HERMIT— This lonely solitude? Why, I love 
it. For 'tis in solitude good spirits come to men 
and whisper hopes of a larger life and nobler 
world than that which lies within our little range 
of mortal sight. 

ROBIN — Yet to live beyond the sight of hu- 
man faces and the sound of human voices ! 

HERMIT — Aye! but even when man stands 
alone with Nature he still is bound to the world 
by a thousand suljtle cords of universal life. 
Around he hears low voices singing to him — the 
insects with their soft toned melodies ; the wind 
with its myriad symphonies. Beneath his feet he 
hears the breathing of the earth and over all, the 
ever happy chatter of the birds ; while higher 
still he sees the shining stars. Yet supposing he 



44 Cupid's Coronation 

stands amid a cold grey winter waste, still it is 
something to be alone and dream until one peers 
in fancy from a mountain top, sole monarch of 
the world. The greatest makers and unmakers 
of the world have been great dreamers, who 
learned in lonely desert wastes the oracles of 
God. If 'tis my doom when all is o'er, to sink 
into the chill chaos of Oblivion, I'll risk a tumble 
from a mountain peak of mere air, rather than 
rot among the lowly levels of earth's common- 
places. 

ROBIN — Solitude makes most men sour. 

HERMIT— Not if they once see God. If Soli- 
tude be in itself so bad, why is it that the bit- 
terest cynics of the world have always lived in 
cities. 

ROBIN — I see that each state of man's exis- 
tence holds compensations. Each has some and 
none have all the benefits and beauties. 

HERMIT— Aye! With this distinction, that 
they have least and live the poorest who bide the 
farthest from fair Love's abode. 

ROBIN — Which reminds me of a song that 
I will sing if you like music. 

HERMIT— I do. For music is the true law 
giver of the world. 

ROBIN — A simple song it is. — sings. 

HERMIT— Then it must be pretty. 



Cupid's Coronation 45 

SONG. 
I. 

Sad it is ! Ah, sad and strange, 

That all the earth is lone ; 
That all man's Joys to Sorrows change, 

When Love is gone. 

11. 

Mirth and Laughter and good cheer 

Grow cold as lifeless stone ; 
And even Beauty seemeth drear 

When Love is gone. 

IIL 

Power and Place and Fame and Gold 

Cannot Love's death atone ; 
Since all is withered, gaunt and old 

When Love is gone. 



46 Cupid's Coronation 

ACT III. SCENE 1. 

(A woodland glade. Early morning.) 
[Enter Witch and her brood. 
BUGABOO — I hear a footstep on the leaves. 
WITCH— 

It is the charm that Merlin weaves, 
Hide, my bonnie bratlings, hide 
By this shady hollow-side. 
[Exit. 

[Enter Lord Monterey, sauntering listlessly 
and zvith downcast eyes. 
LORD MONTEREY— 
'Tis e'n as Rollo warned me it would be. 
There's none escapes. 

[Sitting down dejectedly. 
[Re-enter Witch. 
WITCH— chanting— 

Round about him fall the spell. 
All with him shall soon be well. 
Soon again his heart shall be 
From the grasp of woman free. 
Softly, swiftly, Shades of Night, 
Shut vain fancies from his sight. 
Fill his mind and steel his heart, 
Till he's safe from Cupid's dart, 
This, O Merlin, is thy hour. 
Now the youth is in our power. 



Cupid's Coronation 47 

LORD MONTEREY— Perhaps 'twere bet- 
ter not to care. 
WITCH— 

x\ll things here are thriving fair, 
Back, my brats, into our lair ! 
[Enter Rollo, gorgeously arrayed in a suit 
of scarlet and purple velvet. 

ROLLO — At last the day is here, and so am 
I ! Verily am I arrayed in fine costume and 
costumed in fine raiment ; and like the fabled 
Bird of Paradise do I feel all fuss and feathers 
— especially feathers. Yet, indeed, little things 
like these must l^e borne patiently that great 
things may be achieved greatly. Now, if a man 
wisheth to make a figure in the annals of Time, 
he should first make a figure before the eyes 
of Time. If he would show how great he is in- 
ternally, then must he first demonstrate his 
greatness externally ; and therein lieth the use 
of clothes. Now the scholar heedeth this 
point too little and the fop heedeth it too much, 
and therefore doth the scholar' often die un- 
demonstrated and the fop often demonstrates 
himself to death. But as for me, I try to steer 
between this Sylla and Chrybdis and so hope 
never to be caught betwixt the jaws of any such 
perplexity. (Observing Lord Monterey.) What 
is it that here I see? Well, if it isn't the lan- 
guid length of another lowly lover! 



48 Cupid's Coronation 

LORD JJONTEREY— Be as gentle with me, 
Rollo, as you can ! 

ROLLO — May the man in the moon mal- 
treat me if you don't look like an Egyptian 
Sphinx pondering in heavy and dubious silence 
over a big dilemma. 

LORD MONTEREY— I'm afraid I am— 

ROLLO — interrupting him — In love! The 
same old story ever ! So here I see you sit, 
and sitting, softly sigh. 

LORD MONTEREY— I'm learning patience. 

ROLLO — Now that's very well. For most 
birds of your feather are too eager. They lack 
repose ! They're like hot water in a teakettle, 
ready to boil up and run over. Gather in all 
the patience you can, my Lord, you'll need it. 
Every lover wants more than he'll ever get. 

LORD MONTEREY — soliloquising — Aye ! 
Patience, the one thing no one has who needs 
it, and which everyone has in plenty just when 
he doesn't need it. 

ROLLO — Come, my Lord, come ! Take the 
advice of a jester and the jesting of a wise 
man and in classic English,-7-or rather in Eng- 
lish which shall be classic a thousand years 
hence, — brace up ! Shake yourself together ! 
Don't let any woman use your heart for a foot- 
ball ! Propose! If the lady will take you. 'tis 
well. If not, 'tis, well — to let some other lady 
have the chance. 



Cupid's Coronation 49 

LORD MONTEREY— Thou art a wise and 
merry devil, Rollo, I'll take thy advice. 

ROLLO — That's right. It's cheap and plen- 
ty ! (Aside.) Merry! Yes! I am merry — on 
the outside. But, by Saint Cupid, internally, I 
am infernally otherwise. But who comes here? 
LORD MONTEREY— Robin and Puck ; and 
one — I know not who. 

PUCK — Brothers, a good day to you. 
ROLLO— 

Another to ye're ov/n good self I 
Ye tricksy trigger little elf. 
PUCK^fo Lord Monterey — 

Aly Lord, your heart I see is blue ! 
\\q\\, I've some business to get through. 
And when it's done I'll tend to you, 
Meanwhile, a pointer how to woo : — 
If by mirth you cannot win. 
You, Lover, may as well give in. 
For never since Sire Adam's hour,. 
Did vv^oman like looks sad or sour. 
ROBIN — ITome again ! Home again I How 
grateful is the sight of old familiar things. 

ROLLO — Sir, we may be familiar but not 
old. I object to old. 
PUCK— 

Friends, here's the famous long lost sheep, 
Which I in tether still must keep 
Till on his neck his love shall weep. 
I, — not he, — will come anon. 



50 Cupid's Coronation 

But now we must be hurrying on. 
[Exit. 

GILES— (to Robin)— 

I'll send back unto thee, I hope right soon 

The happiest of welcome news. Good friend, 

Wait here and at the earliest minute 

Puck shall bring thee Avord of where she is. 
[Exit with Puck. 

ROBIN— fo G"/7r.y— Farewell ! I'll rest me 
here. 

LORD MONTEREY— Do. friend, and Rol- 
lo's wit shall give us cheer. [To Rollo — Why 
so sober, my merry madam ? Thy heart should 
be always gay. 

ROLLO— My Lord, you say true. But I 
would inquire how one's heart can be merry 
when one's legs are weary. Or how one's soul 
can soar when one's soles are sore? Conun- 
drum ! Answer he who can. 

LORD MONTEREY— Nay ! thou must an- 
swer if thou make conundrums. Come, bestir 
thy wit, Rollo, else may thy reputation sufifer. 

ROLLO— My lord, I fear it not. But in- 
deed 'twould be only fair, I think, if my repu- 
tation did suffer a bit for my sake, since in 
times past I have dolefully suffered for the 
sake of my reputation. Yet now, my lord, as 
I have no fear for my reputation, so ecjually 
may I say my reputation has no fear for me. 
But like two innocent babes we live together, — 



Cupid's Coronation 51 

heeding not the bug-bear of Fame nor the fame 
of any Bug-bear ! We sleep in peace and eat 
in plenty ; smile when we can and make others 
smile when they will and let no day pass but 
in hopes to do some good turn to some chance 
neighbor. So life goes and taketh us along with 
it, — even as great rivers bear their little atoms 
to the sea. For as man swalloweth his confiding 
subjects, — the Fish and the Fowls, — so in the 
end Time shall swallow him. Swallowers shall 
be swallowed ! Thus saith the law that is in no 
book, because 'tis on the outside of all things. 

LORD MONTEREY— Ha ! a moralizing turn 
hath struck thee. Well, what thinkest thou of 
m.ankind in short? 

ROLLO — Shortly, I have long believed that 
most of them are well. Though some might be 
better, many might be worse. 

LORD MONTEREY— Be particular ! Bring 
thy matter down to illustrations. 

ROLLO— Then, Illustrious Sirs, will I thus 
illustrate ! Mankind is composed of two le- 
gions, the Ups and the Downs. The Ups are 
cunning merchants, mercantile lawyers ; bold 
gamesters and shrewd preachers who keep their 
weather eye on their salary and their spare eye 
on their salvation. The Downs consist of meek 
wives, honest laborers, true scholars, dreamy 
artists and pious clergymen, who look not as to 
how they may live but only as to how they may 



52 Cupid's Coronation 

work. Therefore, they die betimes and receive 
as their reward, — big monuments and long epi- 
taphs. Mischief lives and mercy perisheth ! 

LORD MOXTEREY— Tell us more of mis- 
chief. That ought to be thy favorite subject. 

ROLLO — Concerning what ought to be, I 
preach not. I speak only of what is. Now the 
most stupid fact in the world today is that folks 
are getting too clever. If they keep on very 
long at the present prancing pace, heigho ! for 
another Deluge. For truly another flood will 
surely come to sweep away everything — save 
perchance, some good honest fish and good 
sturdy fowls and such flesh as have minds 
which are not otherwise, and wits which are 
not over-witty. 

For the gods, me-thinks, abominate too much 
shrewdness in us common mortals ! But now, 
as I have work in hand, I'll say farewell. 
[Exit Rollo. 

ROBIN — So this is Cupid's Coronation Day? 

LORD MONTEREY— Aye ! and I am glad 
you're here to see it. 

Beauty, brightness, jollity and fun; 

All that makes earth bearable or Heaven 

desirable 
You'll have a taste of if you see Cupid 
In his glory. 

ROBIN — I should much like to see him. 
What sort of a fellow is he? 



Cupid's Coronation 53 

LORD MONTEREY— O, he's shrewder than 
you'd think. No scholar with all the learning 
of a dozen schools has ever vanquished Cupid, 
for behind his jauntiness of mien, Cupid has a 
mind for thought, and as for words, no orator 
can match him. 

[Enter Puck on a run. 
PUCK— ^0 Robin- 
Come, good Hasty-wits, away ! 
Love is wooing thee today. 
By yon grassy fountain side. 
She waits with rose-mouth opened wide. 
[Exit Robin. 
To Lord Monterey — 
You, my lord, and I will stroll 
Over there by yonder knoll. 
You must first receive a lecture. 
Ere Fortune comes as you expect her. 
For here's a truth that's ages -old; 
Woman loves love when he's bold; 
When he comes in timid guise, 
Maids will yawn and shut their eyes. 
And women look toward other skies. 
If men don't want the maids to scout 'em, 
They must have some snap about 'em, 
But come, I think that you will do. 
After you've been lectured to. 
[Exit Puck and Lord Monterey. 
[Enter Rollo loaded with daisies. 
ROLLO — I thank my stars and everybody 



54 Cupid's Coronation 

else's stars that the hour dawneth soon when 
Cupid shall be crowned. Were my expectations 
held up much longer on this diet of Hope and 
Hunger, I know not what would become of me. 
Daisies ! more daisies for more crowns ! Truth, 
have I become a picker of posies and a plucker 
of daisies, just as the old proverb saith that 
man should be. 

But O ! how weary are my legs ! yet they are 
nothing to my weary heart ! I feel — I feel just 
that way, I don't know how I do feel. Suppose 
I am in love ? In love ! O sweet spirit of wild- 
briar bushes, receive me into thy arms ! Sup- 
pose ? O what twinges and twitches and 
switches will be mine. To think of my being 
on the icy and slippery edge of matrimonial 
mysteries — and with that maiden ! So demure 
and so dainty! Yet that is the kind who en- 
trap all stray wolves like myself ! By Cupid's 
Ghost, but here she comes ! 
[Enter Polly. 

POLLY— Good morning, sir. 

ROLLO — confusedly — Good afternoon ! 

POLLY — Nay! but 'tis not noontime yet. 

ROLLO — Yes ! I mean noon or thereabouts. 
Beauteous maiden! to tell the truth I care not 
what time of day it is. When thou art near, 
time matters not. Morning, noon and night are 
all one. Tomorrow is the same as yesterday ; 
and this morning is the same as day after to- 



Cupid's Coronation 55 

morrow evening. In short, most attractive and 
captivating- maiden, thou art the Magnet of my 
Heart ; — thou art the thermometer and baro- 
meter of my hopes ; thou art the geography of 
my soul and the starlight of my desires ! 

POLLY— Sir ! 

ROLLO — In plain English, pretty maiden, 
thou hast been so long in my sight that thou 
hast got into my affections. Thou must be mine 
for I am thine. 

POLLY — Nay, I am Davie's. 

ROLLO — Of course you were — that's true — 
before- you saw me, but seeing me, you know 
better how and what to choose. Now I'm the 
best, and for me to choose you makes you the 
best. See? 

POLLY— No, I don't see. We're pledged— 
Davie and I — I'll marry him. 

ROLLO — What! mad maiden, throw away a 
chance like me? Me, the wit of a county and 
the resource of a country! Reject me! 

POLLY — I love Davie already. But I have 
a sister, sir. 

ROLLO— Nay! Go — go! thou poor and 
wretched scorner of golden opportunities. (A 
pause. ) 

POLLY — She's prettier than I, and only six- 
teen ! 

ROLLO — Sixteen ! The diamond age of 



56 Cupid's Coronation 

womanhood ! Sixteen ! and prettier, sayest 
thou? 

POLLY— Aye, sir. 

ROLLO — Well, since it is all in the family 
and as I can kiss you whenever I wish, as a 
brother, I'll accept her. Bring her to Corona- 
tion this afternoon. 

POLLY — But she has never met you, sir. 
ROLLO— Tut ! tut ! what of that ? We'll get 
acquainted. Fm one of those people who, when 
they want, don't take forever to find out what 
they want. Take this to thy sister, lass. (Kiss- 
ing Polly) and keep this for thyself (kissing 
her again). Thou shalt be my sister-in-law 
this afternoon. 'Tis all in the family ! 
[Exit Polly. 
ROLLO — goes out singing — 
In the sweet days of spring. 
When sweet maidens are rosy 
And every big flower is still but a posy. 
When the lips of each maiden are red as a 

cherry 
And never a maiden is loth for to marry, 
'Tis then that I love best -for to tarry 
Out in the green, green fields ; 
'Tis then my whole heart maketh right 

merry, 
And then it is that I love to sing. 
High-ding-a ling! Heigh-ding-a ling! 
A young man in love is the peer of a King ! 



Cupid's Coronation ^7 

[Enter Witch and her children. 
WITCH — chanting — 

Gone!. our last faint hope is gone! 
He a man for freedom born, 
Even he seeks woman's scorn, 
'Gainst Cupid not a soul has stood. 
Now is INIerlin left forlorn 
And the ravens from the wood 
Are crying hunger to my brood, 
Hateful light has come again, 
To triumph over our domain, 
Not a region far or wide, 
Is left where decent folk may bide. 
Everywhere there shines the sun, 
All yield to him one by one, 
There's no toad that has the heart, 
To take our mighty Merlin's part. 
BUGABOO— Mother, let us haste from here. 
NIGHTHAWK— 

I hate this sunlight, mother dear, 
I would that mighty Merlin's breath 
Would sweep it in a mist to death. 
WITCH— 

Come ! my brats we must away. 
Evil light upon this day, 
Lost is Merlin's holy power, 
Puck is master of the hour. 



58 Cupid's Coronation 



ACT IV.— SCENE II. 

(Same as before, except Cui)i{rs throne is 
placed in rear and center of the stage. A great 
assembly surrounds the throne. All remain 
standing while they sing this song.) 

SONG. 

Pretty wreaths and wreathed posies, 
Dainty buds and blushing roses, 
Garlands bright and fresh and gay, 
Mourish everywhere today. 
For see, 
Tis he, - 
CHir jolly, roguish little God, 
Cupid now is come abroad ! 
ROLLU— Hail ! to the mischief maker of the 
world, — Sir Cupid ! 

CORIXNA — I met him once dressed as a city 
dandy. 

POLLY — I saw him once clad as a shepherd. 
MARGL^ERITE — I met a w^andering min- 
strel who was his very image. 

LORD ^lOXTEREY— A'dozen forms of one 
small person. 
CUPID— 

True, my friends. I am the same ; 
Yet Cupid is my real name, 
Though it cause you some surprise, 
I travel ever in disguise. 



Cupid's Coronatton 59 

Only under habits strange 
Will the great world let me range. 
If in my proper person I 
Should attempt my art to ply; 
Quickly would your Cupid die. 
By maiden's kisses overcome, 
Or by man's neglect struck dumb, 
But unto you, 
O lovers true, 
This day I'll bring the truth to view, 
That evermore your eyes may see, 
How happy a true world can be. 
That's based on love and loyalty. 
Then onward with our gayety! 

DAVIE— Say, Polly— 

POLLY— Yes ! 

DAVIE — Remember the time I was afraid 
you wouldn't have me? 

POLLY— Yes. 

DAVIE— Well, I met that little fellow and I 
came awful near being sassy to him. 

POLLY— Were you? 

DAVIE — Naw, and I'm glad I wasn't now. 

POLLY — Hush ! they're going to sing. 

[Enter a baud of little girls arrayed in gala- 
day garb. They dance and sing the fol- 
lozn'ing song : 

SONG. 

At last the happy day is here ; 
The sun is bright, the sky is clear, 



60 Cupid's Coronation 

Everything is blithe and gay 
On Cupid's Coronation Day. 

Then sing ! O sing ! O sing ! 
While we the sweetest flowers bring. 
All honor to our King! 
All honor to our King! 
CORINNA— A pretty song. 
POLLY— Davie ! 

DAVIE — I'm thinking about solemn and mo- 
mentary matters, Polly, don't interrupt my mind. 
POLLY— What are you thinking of? 
DAVIE — Is my necktie straight? 
POLLY— Yes. 

DAVIE — And my hair parted? 
POLLY— Yes. "^ 

DAVIE— Well, I guess I'll get through, but 
these good clothes do make a fellow feel awful 
bad. 

POLLY — Sh ! Rollo is going to read. 
ROLLO — [Stepping forth into the midst of 
the assembly, reads the following: 

PROCLAMATION. 

To all good friends and neighbors, greeting: 
All plighted lovers will take their seats upon 
the right. Love knows one law — that of good 
faith, and thus it is I give the order in which 
these hearts shall first receive a crown from 
Cupid's hands and then a song of honor from 
this company. 

First, Davie and Polly. 



Cupid's Coronation 61 

Second, Giles and Corinna. 

Third, Lord Monterey and his lady. 

Fourth, Robin and Marguerite. 

Fifth, Rollo (that's me) and whomsoever he 
may have finally selected. (Finally! I like that 
word.) Before the songs begin there shall be 
sung a hymn to Cupid. Amor Este victor. So 
ends my message. 
[Rollo retires. 

[The lovers rise and seat themselves in the 
order named. 

DAME — Polly, have I got to sit on the bench 
ahead of my lord and Robin? 

POLLY — Of course ! That's because you've 
been so good to me. That's what you'll always 
get if you're good. 

DAVIE — Well, I didn't know men ever got 
pay for bein' good. 

POLLY — They always do when they're good 
to their sweethearts. 

DAVIE— I should think they'd all be good 
then, "cause it's cheaper. 

ROLLO — ivith a grimace — And I'm at the 
foot of the class. 'Tis ever thus — for virtue and 
me there is no reward. 

LORD MONTEREY— ^0 his lad\—Vm glad 
to sit beside thee here. 

JOHNNIE — I'm in luck not to be at the bot- 
tom. I ought to ha' went, but I guess you 
saved me. 



62 Cupid's Coronation 

MARGUERITE— Robin, did you ever see 
Polly look so beautiful ? 

ROBIN — No, but she's a good girl and in 
love. That's enough. 

ALL— Hush ! 

HYMN TO CUPID. 

L 
Hail to thee great god of love ! 

Joy be with thee ever ; 
Thou who gently dost unite 

Hearts the stern fates sever, 
Roses, lilies, myrtles, too, 
In thy honor now are due. 

- CHORUS. 

Maker of the starry skies, 
• Maker of sweet maidens' eyes. 
Maker of love's glad surprise, 
Cupid is our King ! 

Thanks to thee we never see. 
Any shade of sorrow, 

Thou dost change our mirth today 
To merriment tomorrow, 
So to honor thee we bring 

Bluebells from a woodland spring. 

CHORUS. 

CUPID— 

Friends, my best of thanks to all, 
Who honor thus our festival. 
Let the faithful lovers be 



Cupid's Coronation 63 

Praised by our best symphony ; — 
And let the pair who first were read, 
Hither kneel and bow each head. 
[Davie and Polly advance and kneel. 

SONG. 

Where the breath of dewy morn, 
Falls upon the ripened corn, 
Where the happy cattle low ; 
Where the honeysuckles blow ; 
These two faithful lovers came, 
To earn by faith their right to fame. 
Paeans in their praise we sing, 
Crown and bless them mighty King. 

For 'tis they 

Who today 
Most deserve Love's laurel spray. 
CUPID— 

These of all those that you see, 
Served love's cause loyally ; 
They alone the pathway trod 
As if they felt the hand of God. 
So in honor of their truth 
And their cleanly minded youth. 
To them doth Cupid now bequeath 
Health and honor with this wreath, 
[Place a crown on each head. They retire. 

SONG. 

Over land and over sea, 
Where-so-ever they may be, 
Cupid gives men victory. 



64 Cupid's Coronation 

DAVIE— fo Po%— Polly, it makes me feel 
bad to look so good. 

POLLY — That's 'cause being good don't 
come natural to men. They have to practice 
first. 

CUPID— 

Now let those kneel, and kneeling pray 
Who long have waited for this day. 
[Giles and Corinna advance. 

SONG. 

When hearts for pride have suffered pain. 

Through long and lonely years ; 
They shall like these gain their domain 
From out a vale of tears ; 
For howsoever 
Fates may sever, 
Love shall bring sweethearts together. 
[Giles and Corinna, after being crozvned, 
retire. 
ROLLO — aside — I do admire patient people. 
But as for myself. Love would never have nab- 
bed me if he hadn't been quick about it. 
CUPID— 

Let now my Lady and my Lord appear, 
To make obeisance of obedience here. 
[Lord Monterey and his Lady advance and 
kneel. 

SONG. 

Love alone is the god of health. 

His children are plump and pretty; 



Cupid's Coronation 65 

Love alone is the god of wealth, 
His speech is wise and witty ; 

But though a man be a Croesus grand 
And have the gold of twenty ; 

AA'ho boweth not to Love's command, 
Starves in the midst of plenty. 

CHORUS. 

Ho! Ho! Ho! singeth the Wind, 
Come with Love or be left behind, 
For we two go, 
As you must know. 
To the land where the orange blossoms 
grow. 
JOHNNIE — starting to advance — Isn't it 
time — 

COUNTRY LASS— No, it isn't, and what's 
more ye're wits are none a' ye're ane, ye're that 
befuddled. 

JOHNNIE — When I've got anything import- 
ant to say I always get excited. 

COUNTRY LASS— Sh! Cupid is going to 
speak. 

CUPID— 

Hush the music ! calm the air ! 
Comes the fairest of the fair! 
Let the bridal song be sung, 
To this maiden ever young. 
She has waited like the flowers, 
All the summer's golden hours. 



66 Cupid's Coronation 

bridal song. 
Come pretty maiden, 

Come, come away : 
Thou shalt be laden, 

\\'ith violets gay. 

II. 

Thou shalt be given, 

Whatever's to see ; 
For even high Heaven 

Owes service to thee. 
III. 
Lilies, anemones, 

Dewey lipped roses. 
For thee v/e have woven, 

In sweetest of posies. 
IV. 
Then come, little maiden, 

Come thou with me, 
Down by the river, 
Where Pan, the good giver, 

Is waiting for thee. 

v. 

Awaiting is he. 

By the green river side. 
To make thee, my pretty, 
A bonnie sweet bride. 
JOHNNIE — breaking from the crowd — 
Please, good Cupid, I am here, and — 

COUNTRY LASS— pnlling at his coat— 
T'aint time yet, Rollo is coming. 



Cupid's Coronation 67 

CUPID— 

Let Rollo now advance and say 
What we can do for him today. 

ROLLO — canes forzvard slozdy, leading 
Polly's sister — Friends, all men are not the 
lords they look to be. 

LORD MONTEREY— Now for some sport! 

DAVIE — He's going to make fun. 

ROLLO — Sweet citizens ! Serious friends, 
there is a time to jest and a time when not to 
jest. This is the time when not to. 

CUPID— 

Rollo, put your merry heart at ease, 
You shall speak out what you please. 

ROLLO — Great Sovereign, I would I could 
but I can't. Miserable is the hapless case of 
those helpless hearts that love yet may not speak 
thereof. 

CUPID— 

This is the day and hour for the freest speech, 

None but kindly ears do listen here. 

ROLLO — O fortunate friends, this lady is 
my love, and here am I — a remnant of what 
was. Before I loved her, she was plain. Now 
is she pretty. Before I loved her, she was timid. 
Now she is tyrannical. Before I loved her she 
was plausibly pleasant, now she is. perniciously 
persistent. 

Lost is the case of a lonely man in love ! 

CUPID— What is the trouble? 



68 Cupid's Coronation 

ROLLO — Why, when I desire to kiss her, 
she says: "Wait till we are married!"" If I say: 
"Love, I am thy Jack, be thou my Jill?" ,she 
says, "We are not wedded yet!" And so do 
the rippling rills of my affection turn to ice 
within me. Where, O Cupid, son of lovely and 
loving \enus, did this maiden learn to stand on 
such frigid and frost-bitten ceremonies ? 

JOHNNIE — Susie, wc ain't afraid of kissing. 



are we 



SUSIE— I guess not! 

CUPID— Rollo, for your sake I'll interview 
this lass who is beloved by you. [To the lass — 
Do you wish, my lass, to wed this man ? 

COUNTRY LASS— O laws! yes, sir, if I 
can ! 

CUPID— 

And will you love and treat him true, 
As he desires to do by you? 
Love maketh life, the proverb saith. 
COUNTRY LASS— I'll just love him half to 
death, after we are married. 
CUPID— 
It is well! 

First we'll toll thy wedding bell ; 
Then, sweet wit, the maid will be 
Somewhat less afraid of thee. 
ROLLO — I don't like this cautiousness. I'm 
not a bear. I won't bite. But, alas! 'tis just 
my fate — who am all freedom — to be joined to 



Cupid's Coronation 69 

one all fixture and formality. The fate of the 
free is fearful. My wit has waylaid me. That 
which has made other men wise should have 
made me wary ! O Coxcomb, thou hast failed 
in thy duty. Thou shouldst have better pro- 
tected thy master. 

[Enter band of young girls. 

DANCING SONG. 

Sing heigh ! sing ho ! 
Pretty eyes have laid him low, 

Sing heigh ! sing ho ! 
Mirth has met his foe, 
Let them do the best they can. 
• Maidens still shall conquer man 
O'er castle wall and barbican. 

Heigho ! Heigho ! Heigho ! 

CHORUS. 

Sing heigh ! sing ho ! 

Tip, tap, and away we go ! 

Sing heigh ; sing ho ! 

Away, away we go ! 
CUPID— 

Of all the gifts upon the earth, 
He giveth most who giveth mirth ; 
From birth to death life knows no hour, 
When mirth holds not the reigns of power, 
Then unto him who well has won, 
Joy and gladness from the sun ; 
Cupid grants the fate that's best, 
Long life, by every joy caressed. 



70 Cupid's Coronation 

[Rollo and his lass retire. 
CUPID— 

Now friends, if more tliis clay there be 
Love-bound in all this company, 
'Tis not too late for them to kneel 
And tell the hopes all lovers feel. 
JOHNNIE— Please, Cupid, I'm here. 
CUPID— Well, my lad,-- 
JOHNNIE— And this lass is here. 
CUPID— Well ? 

JOHNNIE— Well we want to get married. 
CUPID — Are you ready to make public con- 
fession ? 
JOHNNIE— Sir? 

CUPID — Are you ready, I say, to exchange 
pledges before this company ? 

JOHNNIE — O yes, sir, we'd as soon kiss 
here as anywhere, wouldn't we, Susie ? 
SUSIE — Of course we would. 
JOHNNIE— kissing her— We like to kiss 
each other any time at all, sir. 

CUPID— 'Tis well performed. Take thy 
seats. Now let our soldier boys come forth. 
[Enter a hand of young soldiers zvlio sing 
this: 

SONG. 

With merry feet 

In rhythmic beat 

We bravely march along; 

But when we spy 



Cupid's Coronation 71 

A maiden's eye, 

Within a window standing bye, 

We sing this little song : — 

A penny for your pretty face 

Because we like its style : 

A penny for your pretty thoughts, 

A penny for your smile, 

But if your pretty heart be free 

We'll offer all Ave've got to thee. 

CHORUS. 

Cupid's soldiers we ! 
Stalwart as you see. 
And every inch as brave 
As soldiers ought to be. 
CUPID — Let all take places for a country 
dance, and joy lend wings unto thy feet. 
Contra Dance. 
Dancers accompanied by music and the fol- 
lowing song, several times repeated: 

1. 
Who liveth for Love, he Hveth right gay ! 

Over the meadows and far away. 
His heart it is light, 
His eyes they are bright. 

He whistles by day and he singeth by night. 
No matter what deserts he happens to stray. 
He feeleth no fear. And do what they may 
The Fates cannot daunt him, he simply will say, 
My true love is coming to meet me today, — 
Over the meadows and far away. 



T2 Cupid's Coronation 

2. 
Who livcth for love, he Hv'eth right gay, 

Over the meadows and far away. 
No tittle he misses of hope, love or kisses; 
All ecstacies, witcheries, bounties and blisses, 
The bloom of the roses, the scent of the hay, 
He finds by the way like the blossoms of May, 
And when he spies Death he doesn't say Nay ! 
He meets him and greets him and says to him 

hey ! 
I am going to meet my true love today. 

Over the meadows and far away. 



Fi 



